Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation Federal Government of Somalia S2S II
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Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation Federal Government of Somalia S2S II CAS Stabilization Coordination Meeting Note 30th September 2019 Venue: VIP AMISOM, Mogadishu, Somalia + VTC with UNON, Nairobi, Kenya Agenda: 1. Welcoming remarks / Introduction 2. Lower-Shabelle Stabilization Support (progress and challenges) 3. FIMM (Data collection and analytical tool) presentation 4. Support to Stabilization Phase II (S2S project) 5. FMS update (resource mobilization and gaps) 6. Partners update 7. AoB and next steps Opening Remarks: MoIFAR: Senior Stabilization Advisor, opened the meeting and noted that the Minister was continuing to support efforts on reconciliation in Galmudug. The importance of the coordination forum for both federal and state governments for information sharing on achievements, plans and challenges was highlighted. MoIFAR commended the generosity of donors and commitments by the partners in implementing the stabilization projects effectively and efficiently. UNSOM/Stabilization: commended the stabilization efforts by partners around the country with the lead and coordination of MoIFAR. They highlighted how this meeting is important for the stakeholders to understand the stabilization interventions and challenges in the states since the last meeting. While appreciating the progress made in Lower Shabelle operations in terms of early recovery initiatives, UNSOM emphasized the need to think of long term interventions. AMISOM Head of Support provided a briefing that underscored the progress made in stabilization in Somalia as whole, and Lower Shabelle in particular. AMISOM commended the stabilization efforts especially community recovery projects implemented in Sabiid, Bariire and Awdheegle towns of Lower Shabelle as well as joint planning sand the PM’s visit to Marka as evidence of the current momentum. The briefing concluded by underlining that a sustainable hold of the recovered areas would be vital for stabilization and that AMISOM will continue working with the Government and providing security to the partners to help ensure the sustainability of the effort. Lower Shabelle Operations: MoIFAR highlighted that the Prime Minister visited Lower Shabelle, specifically Marka district, to express his support and reassurance to the people of Lower Shabelle and all actors involved in the liberation and early recovery stabilization efforts. The SWS MoI added that PM’s visit was very important for the state in delivering the message of hope. The SNA forces with the support of AMISOM and other partners liberated Awdheegle districts. The district suffered many attacks by AS since the takeover, but because of the resistance by community and the bravery of the SNA forces, AS have been unable to retake the town. The US embassy representative affirmed that they will continue supporting the Lower Shabelle Page 1 of 5 Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation Federal Government of Somalia S2S II stabilization efforts. They will continue funding stabilization activities through implementing partners including TIS+, OTI, IOM and others. Security and building confidence is the first items that people need most. The SWS MoI expressed his appreciation for MoIFAR and partners’ stabilization efforts in Lower Shabelle and confirmed their support and facilitation of the recovery initiatives. The MoI recognized the hard work by the Lower Shabelle Governor for timely appointment of administrations and caretakers for Bariire, Sabiid and Awdheegle. The MoI confirmed that a DC and a deputy have been identified for Janaale. Fragility Index and Maturity Model (FIMM): MoIFAR explained the importance of FIMM for planning and decision making in the stabilization efforts. MoIFAR & UNSOM presented the FIMM findings consisting of 24 district stabilization dashboards based on the focus areas of the National Stabilization Strategy: security and rule of law, community recovery, governance and social cohesion. Of the 24 districts reviewed: 2 districts are rated as stable; 10 districts are rated as maturing, 11 are rated as vulnerable and one district – Mahadaay - is rated as fragile. It is highlighted that the tool provides a guide to help align resources in different areas on a geographic and thematic basis, for example the low ratings in the Balcad - Jowhar corridor indicate the need for additional investment in initial stabilization activities, whereas in the case of Berdale the focus needs to be on longer-term development funding to build on the initial stabilization investments. Also, the FIMM indicates potential for successful district council formation exercises in a number of locations based on good social cohesion ratings, whilst indicating district council formation exercises in areas with lower social cohesion ratings may be more challenging. Warsheikh, which for instance had enjoyed sustained stabilization support, was recently successful in district council formation. MoIFAR reiterated that the FIMM should be done on a regular basis and contributions by stakeholders for further improvement will be incorporated. Support to Stabilization (S2S project): MoIFAR presented S2S-II objectives, components, achievement and challenges. He stated that the S2S-II project supports district council formation (DCF) of 4 districts - Bardheere, Dinsoor, Dhusamareb and Balcad- through assessments, awareness raising, preliminary consultative meetings, district peace building conferences and election of district council officials. To date DCF assessments were conducted in Dhusamareb (May 2019) and Dinsoor (Sept 2019). MoIFAR added that the project will also support 4 districts of any newly recovered areas through formation of interim district administrations and District Peace & Stability Committees. The project facilitates deployment and training of the interim district administration. It was noted that the project also supports 14 districts in the four states through capacity injection (staffing) & running costs. MoIFAR stated that political disputes and accessibility in the states are two of the main challenges to the timely implementation of the project. In addition, the delay of the release of the 2nd allocation caused some financial gap especially in the coordination meetings of Galmudug and Hirshabelle. FMS Updates (FMS update package circulated prior to the meeting): The key issues raised by the FMS ( see annex 1 for full update): Jubaland Jubaland expressed concern that the FGS-JL dispute over the state election has affected the stabilization activities in the state. It was pointed out that stabilization activities by partners Page 2 of 5 Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation Federal Government of Somalia S2S II should not be affected and cooperation should continue to move forward at the technical level. Jubaland is also worried that downsizing of TIS+ will affect the stabilization projects / investment in the region. Some of the stabilization activities implemented during this period include: • Ground Breaking Ceremony for Constructing of Dolow Court House, Community House and Installation of Solar Street Lights • On 9th of August delegates led by the Gedo Governor laid the foundation stones for three infrastructure development projects in the southern border town of Dolow, that were part of the stabilization and peace dividends projects. The projects include the construction of the Dolow Court House, a community center and the installation of solar street lights. The event took place in Dolow District on August 9th. The Gedo Governor, the Secretary- General of Jubbaland Judiciary Commission, the Local Government and Stabilization Directorate of MOIFAR, the DC of Dolow and the CSO of Dolow participated in this event. • The community and local administration of the district warmly welcomed the initiatives and thanked the State and Federal Government, donors and implementing partners for the projects which will greatly contribute to the improvement of governance, peace, and security and for the stability of both the district and region. • MOI is fully committed to establishing permanent, functioning, capable and accountable local councils. Jubbaland state acknowledged the importance of local governments and service delivery as the ultimate goal of formation is to deliver the services to citizens, at same time recognizing the challenges and obstacles faced by the formation process. South-West State • MoI announced that the ministry will hold a meeting for district and regional administrations of South West State in Baidoa in early October. • Ministry of Interior SWS is grateful to be part of this Stabilization coordination meeting / CAS Strand 3 meeting. MOILG&R and South West state have been continuously engaging and collaborating with the Federal Government and development partners by giving them the necessary state support in stabilization programs while connecting to the local leadership, stakeholders and communities. • A State-level Stabilization Coordination Meeting was held in Baidoa in August 2019. • Bi-weekly early recovery coordination meetings for lower Shabelle are held on a regular basis. The MoI is grateful for the commitment shown by MoIFAR and stabilization partners. The need in the recovered areas is large. • Social reconciliation dialogue for communities residing in Manyafulka Corridor and Bay region in general was completed. Hirshabelle • The inauguration/opening ceremony for the finished Balcad football stadium is due to take place early November. The district hospital project